Labor Mtn. Fire Still Active As Containment RIses To 20%

As mid-October arrives in North Central Washington, the Labor Mountain Fire is still active at several locations in Chelan County.

The blaze was sparked by a lightning strike on Sept. 1 about 13 miles northwest of Cle Elum within the Cle Elum Ranger District on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, and has since grown to a current estimated size of 41,418 acres with 20% containment.

On Thursday, the fire displayed increased activity in the vicinity of Bear Creek, where crews prepared to directly engage the flames as it approaches indirect containment lines.

Firefighters also worked to reinforce containment boundaries stretching from Scotty Creek to U.S. Highway 97 (US-97).

In the Devil's Gulch area, sprinkler systems and hoselays have been installed to help in preventing spot fires w